Thiruvananthapuram: The State Election Commission will issue a special notification today for elections in three local body wards where polling was deferred following the death of candidates. The special elections will be held in Vizhinjam Ward of the Thiruvananthapuram Corporation, Payimpadam Ward of Moothhedam Grama Panchayat in Malappuram district, and Onakkur Ward of Pampakuda Grama Panchayat in Ernakulam district.
State Election Commissioner A. Shajahan announced that polling in all three wards will take place on January 13, with vote counting scheduled for January 14. Candidates can file their nomination papers until December 24, while scrutiny will be conducted on December 26. The deadline for withdrawal of nominations is December 29.
Candidates who had already submitted nomination papers earlier will not be required to file fresh nominations. The Election Commission has also enforced the Model Code of Conduct across the entire Moothhedam and Pampakuda grama panchayats, and specifically in the Vizhinjam division of the Thiruvananthapuram Corporation, until the election process concludes.
The election in Vizhinjam Ward has assumed major political significance, especially for the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). In the 101-member Thiruvananthapuram Corporation council, the BJP currently holds 50 seats, falling short of a simple majority by just one seat. A victory in Vizhinjam could therefore tilt the balance of power, making the contest a high-stakes battle for the party.
